Worship center celebrates inaugural gospel festival
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - As they joined hands in spiritual diversity, worshippers at the Hope of Glory Worship Center held their first gospel celebration on Aug. 18.

"Gospel musicians and singers from as far away as Atlantic City converged on Johnson Park to entertain residents of Jackson," said Chris Soleberry, pastor. "The coordination of this event took months as towns, county and musician requirements all had to be met."

Attending the worship center's first gospel event were bands from The Hope Center Tabernacle and the New Jerusalem Church, both of Jersey City.

Bands from the Riverside Assemblies of God, Riverside, the Omnipotent Worship Group of Atlantic City, Jackson's Praise for Him Worship Team and the Hope of Glory Worship Center's worship leader Jonathan Billups were also on hand to make the gospel celebration an inspiring event.

Food was served by the Bayou Café, run by Jackson residents, while the Hope and drinks.

"For such a huge undertaking we really did not have any idea of the feedback we would receive," Soleberry said. "But we were pleasantly surprised. Residents who attended from Jackson, Howell and Lakewood thanked us for sponsoring the event and added that with all of the new homes and churches going up, this was a well-deserved effort to make the towns become a bit closer."

He said new relationships were forged regardless of what church people attend, no matter what religion they follow and no matter how large or small the church is where they belong.

"The music reached everyone," Soleberry said. "Racial and denominational lines were crossed as we showcased music that was Haitian, Cuban, Afro-American, contemporary gospel and traditional hymns."

"So many people have asked us why we are doing this for free," he said. "As with all outreaches done at the Hope of Glory Worship Center there are no hidden agendas. We simply wish to bless the township of Jackson."

Soleberry said the smiles, tears and shouts of the people who attended and enjoyed the event were more than enough of a payment.

The church is planning another outreach in October which will center on the youth of Jackson.

"The music will be youth oriented and will include rap, rock and contemporary gospel," he said. "Next year our hope is to bring all the different churches together for a Battle of the Bands."

For more information visit www,thehopeofglory. org. Worship services are held on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Elms Elementary School, Patterson Road, Jackson.